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Vanderbilt LGBTQ+ Policy Lab

  2. Small Grants Program

Small Grants Program

About

The LGBTQ+ Policy Lab oversees a Small Grants Program ($500 – $1,500) which helps to cover expenses related to carrying out research on LGBTQ+ policies and populations, broadly defined.

  • The Small Grant Program is contingent upon available funds and is not currently seeking proposals.
  • All Vanderbilt faculty (regardless of tenure track status), postdoctoral scholars, graduate/professional students, and undergraduate students are eligible to apply.
  • Preference will be given to students, postdocs, and individuals without access to other sources of support.
  • Proposals must address a question of relevance to LGBTQ+-related public policies (e.g. marriage equality, the transgender military ban, bathroom bills, employment/public accommodations non-discrimination, religious freedom laws, adoption policies, hate crime laws, HIV-related policies, and others.)

FAQ

  • Q: Do proposals have to address an existing policy?
    A: Proposals are also suitable if they address issues of potential policy relevance to LGBTQ+ populations even if they do not directly evaluate an existing policy (though policy implications should be discussed).
  • Q: Are there methodological or topical requirements?
    A: Research can be qualitative or quantitative and can come from any school or discipline.
  • Q: Do students proposals differ from post-doctoral or faculty proposals?
    A: Proposals from students must include a faculty sponsor who can verify the legitimacy of the proposed research project.
  • Q: What type of expenses can the funding cover?
    A: Funds can be used for a range of expenses, including: transcription services (e.g., to transcribe interviews); performing a short survey; or hiring research assistants (e.g., to code state-level statutes or newspaper headlines). Funds cannot be used for PI salary. All use of funds must conform to all Vanderbilt University policies, including payments to research subjects.
  • Q: What are the expectations of those who receive a grant?
    A: Within six months of receiving the grant, the recipient must submit a one page report on the status of the project. Recipients also agree to deliver a 10-15 minute presentation about the research to the LGBTQ+ Policy Lab.

Application

Proposals are limited to two pages of text (single spaced and 12 point font), including references, and must include the following sections:

  1. Rationale for the project and its connection with LGBTQ+ policies and/or populations
  2. Research question (and specific hypotheses to be tested if examining an existing policy)
  3. Description of the analytical strategy/methods
  4. Itemized budget
  5. Plan and timeline for the project
  6. (Student/postdoc applicants only) Name and contact information of a faculty sponsor who agrees to supervise the project

Proposals should be emailed to Kitt Carpenter, Director of the Vanderbilt LGBTQ+ Policy Lab, at christopher.s.carpenter@vanderbilt.edu and will be reviewed by LGBTQ+ Policy Lab Faculty. Questions about the program can also be directed to Prof. Carpenter.

Expenses incurred by VUMC students/faculty/staff will be reimbursed via ESA or NSBA. Information can be found on the TIPS website. Expenses incurred by VU students/faculty/staff will be directly charged against the TIPS center.